I'm of two minds about this. On the one hand, I agree with FrankC that the road to Hell is paved with good intentions, and I am very leery of people deciding when it is ok for someone else to die, especially if that person is helpless,and when it might be convenient for others for him to just cash out. Then again, in some cases it is so obvious and so fair that to keep someone alive in terrible pain and indignity who wants to go is just not right. The problem arises in that very often the victim is in no condition, or even conscious, to make a decision for himself.
I think when a person decides to go, assuming he is mentally able to make the decision, he should be provided with the means to do so, painlessly. As for those who are incapable of communication, it is more problematic. Doctors already do this (euthanasia) routinely, by simply witholding treatment. To actively assist death for the incapacitated when it is determined to be inevitable anyway, should be handled on a case-by-case basis, with safeguards and consultation with family and independent medical professionals. But I don't have any easy answers.
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